Final Reminder to Register for SERVE Workshop – Using the Results from SERVE to influence Sustainable Energy Development in Co. Tipperary

Key issues to be discussed

- Nearly 100MW of wind installed in County Tipperary but potential for a further 500MW. What are the impacts of such development? What are the local benefits?

- Nearly 20 MW of biomass heating systems installed in the County (residential and commercial). How can the targets of 144MW be achieved? How will the investment be managed?

- 1,500 homes per year to be upgrade by 2020 (at a minimum). Do we have the resources, skills and knowledge to achieve this? How can efficiencies be improved (group purchasing, community approaches etc)? Where will the funds come from?

- What roles will the Local Authority have to take? Is there sufficient scope with County Development Plans?

- What does industry need to do?

- How can we maximise job creation? Can sustainable energy be a driver of investment and enterprise development?

- How can we link with EU Initiatives e.g. Convenant of Mayors, Horizon 2020 Research Funding and other Funding

- What will the future role of the TEA be?

- What are the key actions and who are the action holders for the next 3 years (to 2015)

- Should we establish a County Tipperary Sustainable Energy Forum to drive change and ensure coordination

The Tipperary Energy Agency (TEA) is doing some analysis of the first phase of data emerging out of the energy monitoring of dwellings in North Tipperary. Check out the recent articles which give some initial results:

The effect of leaving appliances on Standby – clear evidence of savings to be made:

The deadline for applications for support from the SERVE project for improving the energy efficiency of your home and business has passed. Thanks to everyone who applied. The project has been significantly oversubscribed and North Tipperary County Council are now reviewing applications in light of budgets available and will be in contact with people soon.

The deadline for applications to the SERVE project for support under the Residential and Non-Residential support schemes has now passed. All indications are that the targets set for engagement in the project have been reached. North Tipperary County Council and Tipperary Energy Agency are reviewing the applications and will be finalising all contracts with applications in the coming weeks.

Funding is still available for support under the Micro Generation support scheme. Contact 067 44671 for more information.

The SERVE microgeneration scheme is open for building owners in the SERVE area who wish to install solar photovoltaic panels or micro-wind turbines in the area. The scheme is modest, looking to support a total of 20kW of installations with a grant level of €1922 per installed peak kilowatt.

Microgeneration is defined in this case as single phase systems up to 6kW (25 Amps) or 16 Amps per phase 3 phase. The grant closing date is the 27th of May 2011 and applications will be taken on a first come first SERVEd basis subject to meeting the application requirements.

About

The Sustainable Energy for the Rural Village Environment (SERVE) Project was initiated in November 2007. The final event of the project will be the SERVE Energy Week and Conference running from the 1st to 5th of Octobe 2012. This week will showcase the results from the project and plans for the future.